The ability to connect with people on the other side of the globe instantaneously is inspiring people to explore the world for themselves, and students are no exception. More than ever students are becoming a growing percentage of foreign residents.
Enrollment in study-abroad programs skyrocketed from 800,000 in 1975 to 4.3 million in 2011, according to one intergovernmental organization. While some students seek new experiences, they tend to revert to countries close in proximity and/or culture. For English speakers, Europe offers an air of comfort due to perceived similarities and remains a popular destination among American students.
However, Japan and China have become increasingly popular. Japan alone experienced an 18% increase in foreign students between 2015 and 2016, according to the U.S. State Department.
So, what is the appeal of studying in Asia or Japan for that matter? For one, Tokyo is the most populated metropolitan area in the world. It hosts more corporate headquarters than anywhere on Earth — 613 headquarters —51 of which are Fortune 500 companies. Japan is a global powerhouse of innovation and technology accompanied by a rich culture. It is an ideal location for foreign interning, a growing option to traditional study-abroad opportunities.
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With burgeoning foreign students in Japan, comes familiar consequences to all study-abroad participants: culture shock and the overwhelming feeling of being out of one’s element. Acclimating to a new work culture can be daunting and cause distance between the student and the host country, especially given the rigid structure of the Japanese office culture.
The system of hierarchy and social formality can present a significant obstacle. But ultimately, this is part of the education: learning about the culture by participating in it instead of merely visiting it, and building relationships with colleagues of a different culture that want to see you succeed. Sometimes being a respectful and enthusiastic learner is enough.
Some methods can help interns adjust to their temporary new lifestyles such as drinking parties or office picnics. But one innovative method that remains popular is the Undokai or Japanese sports festival. Undokai is a staple of Japanese education and typically involves an institution’s entire student body in a medley of sports competitions. By incorporating all members in competitive play, the Japanese feel it helps to foster deeper bonds and form connections.
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The same is true for companies where working together typically involves staring at computer screens for long hours and communicating with a nearby colleague electronically instead of face-to-face.
Participating in one was one of the most rewarding experiences I engaged in during my internship in Japan. It allowed me to build relationships with my coworkers whom I sometimes struggle to communicate with due to our language barrier. It allowed me to bond with them and impacted my experience with them in a positive way.
Undokai wasn’t effective just as an event, but it also created an occasion that helped me feel more comfortable in a new work environment as a student.
Most importantly, Undokai can help bridge the gaps between the cultural differences separating employees and students by creating common ground and mutual understanding through the universal concept of sport. This is not only true of the Japanese work environment but for any work environment.
